2 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
Alexandria now exhibits very few marks, by which it could 
be recognized as one of the principal monuments of the magni- 
ficence of the conqueror of Afia, the emporium of the eaft, and 
the chofen theatre of the far-fought luxuries of the Roman 
Triumvir, and the Egyptian queen. Its decay doubtlefs has 
been gradual ; but fifteen centuries, during which it has been 
progreflive, have evinced its antient opulence by the flownefs 
of its fall. 
The prefent walls are of Saracenic ftrudure, and therefore 
can determine nothing with refped to the antient dimenfions of 
the city *. They are lofty, being in fome places more than 
forty feet in height, and apparently no where fo little as twenty. 
But, though fubflantial and flanked with towers, they could 
offer no refiftance, unlefs it were againft the Mamluk cavalry, 
which alone the inhabitants fear, and accordingly keep them in 
fome repair. They alfo furnifh a fufficient fecurity againft the 
Bedouins, who live part of the year on the banks of the canal, 
and often plunder the cattle in the neighbourhood. The few 
flocks and herds, which are deftined to fupply the wants of the 
city, are paftured on the herbage, of which the vicinity of the 
canal favours the growth, and generally brought in at night, 
when the two gates are Ihut ; as they alfo are whenever it is 
known that hoftile tribes are encamped near them, 
* Volney has confidered the walls of Alexandria as of antient ftrudlure. But 
D'Anville had before rejected that idea, and the fragments of columns, &c. 
worked into the mafonry, {hew that he is right. 
Thefe 
